Question : Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act- 2016

(a) whether civil society organisations working on environmental conservation have requested for the repeal or amending of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016 (CAF Act)) to ensure its compliance with the Forest rights Act (FRA):
(b) if so, the response of the Government thereon;
(c) whether the Compensatory Afforestation funds have become a tool to further strengthen the forest departments, undermine the authority of gram Sabhas, defeat forest rights claims and to facilitate rampant corruption and mismanagement of public money;
(d) if so, the response of the Government thereon; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to address forest rights concerns and include provision for consultation with gram Sabhas in the implementation of CAF programmes?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a)& (b)No, Sir.

(c), (d) & (e) No, Sir. The funds deposited in the Compensatory Afforestation Fund will be utilized by the Forest Departments of the State/Union Territory Governments strictly according to the provisions of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016 and Rules made thereof.

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